New lease of life for seaside cinema with proposed £9m redevelopment

An art deco cinema in a North East coastal town is set to be transformed into a new three-screen complex under new plans.

Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council’s cabinet is set to consider new proposals to transform Redcar’s Regent Cinema into a new modern facility at the current site on the town’s seafront.

Plans for the redevelopment, estimated to cost around £9m, include the construction of three screens seating a total of almost 200 people, as well as a café, events space and bar.

If plans are approved, construction would begin as early as July 2020, with an aim to open the cinema in early 2022. It is expected that an independent cinema operator, as opposed to a national commercial chain, will take over the venue upon completion.

News of the proposals follows the closure of the Regent in 2018 due to safety concerns, and the council’s subsequent commitment to save the venue earlier this year.

Cllr Wayne Davies, cabinet member for economic development, commented: “We know what this cinema means to our residents, and how important it is to have a cinema facility within Redcar and Cleveland; it was a real blow when it closed last year.

“But the Council is committed to opening a cinema in the same unique location to increase the vibrancy of Redcar and to make sure that local people and visitors have more fun and an even better experience all year round on the seafront.

“Saving the cinema will create new jobs for local people and will support existing businesses in the area through more footfall and visitors, so I’m really pleased plans are moving forward.”

Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council leader Cllr Mary Lanigan and deputy leader Cllr Karen King added: “This is wonderful news and we are delighted to announce the future of a cinema in the Borough and that it will return on the same site.

“The new cinema will be for everyone who lives in Redcar and Cleveland.”

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